Material handling means



W. C. ANTHONY ET AL MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS Nov. 29, 1932.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 6, 1931 Nov.

w. c.' ANTHONY ET AL MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS (5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April e, 1931 y mi@ @A flirty/keys Noi-29, 1932. W. C, ANTHONY ET AL 1,889,521

MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS Filed April 6, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICEN WILLIAM C. ANTHONY AND LESTER WACHTER, OF STREATOR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNRS TO ANTHONY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, 0F STREATOR, ILLINGIS, A SYNDICATE` MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS Y Application led Apri1 6,

This invention relates to a material han-v dling and supporting means. Ithas for one object to provide means for supporting an object which is to be worked upon and for supporting it so that it may be moved into a wide variety of positions while still rigidly held. Another obj ect is to provide means for so supporting the article that it may be rotated about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis andabout an inclined axis.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the specification and claims.

Our invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical cross section, showing the material supporting means in use in' connection with a press brake; Y

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical cross section, taken at line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical cross sectional detail, taken on an `'enlarged scale, at line 3-8 of Figure l;

Figure 4. is a diagrammatic 'outline showing one form of shape which may be made upon the press brake with which the sup-V porting apparatus is used;

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical cross sectional detail on an enlarged scale, taken at line 5--5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical cross sec-` tional detail, taken at line 6-6 of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 Vis a horizontal transverse cross sectional detail, taken at line 7-7 of Figure 2. 4

Like parts are designated by like characters throughout the specication and drawings. f

A is av floor, support or foundation upon which a machine such as the press brake may be'positioned, or material handling apparatus may be used, connecting with a very7 wide variety of machinery; It is shown as being used here in connection with a press brake which is designed to bend sheets of metal' in Y which each sheet may be given several successive bends. The device is not at all'limited for use with a press brake and the latter is shown only as an example and is'illustrated 1931.V serial No. 527,953.

It is suiiicient to Salyv` that the press brake VIt'has a 'bed or plate has Vvertical members p articular part y B1, a hold-down member B2, a bending apron B3 and means for moving the hold-down member to grip the material and means for moving the apron to effect the bending. B? are aligning pins in the member B? Extending rearwardly from the machine and for convenience supported at Voneend upon the machineare a pair of frame members C. These members may be provided with a narrowed or pointed upper edge C1 and may serve as tracks. At theirlower edges they are provided with racks C2. At their opposite ends the members C are supported on upwardly extending frame members C3. Removably positioned along one side of one of the members C is a guiding or gauge plate C4 which has in its upper surface one or more notches C5. Such plate serves to guide the positioning of the member, which is being bent or Otherwise worked upon. The notches are arranged to serve as guides so that the plate may be successively positioned as desiredgto effect the various bendings or other treatmentsA necessary. D lD are end members of a carria e. One

. of such membersis positioned Vadjacent each of the members C and isprefe'rably provided with one or more rollers D1 which are ar-. ranged to run upon thetrack portion C1 of the member C. Extending `transversely and connecting the two end members Dis a frame member D2. Thismember maybe of chan-r nel section as indicated particularly in Fig-4 ure 6.V Bracing or attaching brackets D3 mayJ be used to strengthenthe joint 'between the members D` and the cross member D2. A shaft D4 is journaled in themembers D and carri-es at each end pinions D5 which mesh with therack portions C2 of the side members C. At one end of thev shaft D4 carries a 'handle or operating wheel DG by means of which it may be rotated.` When it is rotated, the

Vpinions D5 move in the racks and so move the carriage along the frame. The cross memL ber D carries a pair of vertically extending receiving and positioning lugs D7 which are adapted to receive the supporting structure or trapeze in a manner which will be described below. Each of the lugs D7 is provided with a notch DS as sho-wn particularly in Figure 6. D is a dog, mounted on the carriage.

We have described the supporting frame and the carriage which moves along it. In the next paragraph we shall describe the socalled trapeze frame which actually engages and frequently supports the material to be worked upon.

E indicates a roof or some support positioned suliiciently above the foundation A to allow room for the machine. T racks E1 are supported from the roof E and may be of any suitable form. Depending` from them is a carriage E2 which has vertical members which engage truck portions E4 upon which rollers E5 are supported for rotation. rlfhe rollers run in the tracks E1 and support the carriage and trapeze. Depending from the carriage E2 is a hoisting motor E0 which, by means of a cable E7, engages a block or pulley E2. Depending from this pulley is a chain E0 which, by means of a suitable hook, engages an eye E which is fastened to the trapeze connection. Telescoping guides E11 are provided between the trapeze and the carriage E2 and they serve to prevent or limit swinging and twisting.

Supported from the eye E10 is a hollow housing F, which is ported as at F1 F2, to which ports are, respectively, connected air or hydraulic conduits F3, Ft. he housing F terminates in its lower end in inwardly eX- tending flange portion F5. At its upper end it is threaded interiorly and adapted to receive a member F0 to which the eve E10 is with a portion adapted to engage the inner and upper surfaces of the flange F5. It is reduced as at FS and further reduced as at F0 and terminates in a threaded portion F10. About the upper part of the member F7 and opposite the port F1 is cut or formed a circular groove or depression F11. This groove, by means of a passage F12,com1nunicates with a passage F13 which runs generally longitudinally along the member F7 and communi- Cates with an outlet connection F14 to which a conduit F15 is connected. Below the groove or channel F12 in the member F7 is cut a second groove F10. It communicates with the port F2 and, through a passage F17, with the interior generally longitudinal passage Fls'which, by means of a connection F10, is connected to a conduit F20.

Positioned upon the reduced portion F0 of the member F7 is a frame member G. It may be made of a single member or of a plurality of members. It is perforated to receive the reduced portion F0 and is held in position thereon by a bolt or ther locking member (l1. llt is lined with relation to the member F0 and swings or rotates with it. transverse reinforcing memser G2 is joined to the member G at its ends and intermediately by reinforcing members G0. Depem ing from the ends of the members Gr and G2 are generally vertical frame members G2. These may be of any shape, but are preferably of channel section7 as indicated in detail in Figure 5. Pivoted adjacent the lower end of each of the members G4 is a supporting and positioning member G0. .fis indicated in Figures 5 and 6, particularly7 this member is provided at each end with pointed portion G0. lt may have an additional member G7 joined to it, which latter member need not be pointed. Extending across the tra )eze and fastened preferably to one end of the member G7 is pair of frame members G0.. which, as indicated particularly in Figure are preferably of channel section. They carry the clamping` and material engaging parts, wl ich will be described below. The flanges of the members GS may be provided with a plurality of perfarations to permit adjustment of the posi ion of the clamping means.

H is a bearing` pin waich is hollow as at H1 and is journaled vin the lower end ofthe member G4. lt serves as supportingpin for the members G5 and G7 which are preferably fastened to it to rotate with it. At its outer end it reduced and provided with perforations H2 which communicate with the central bore H1. Fixed about it is a can H3 which is pr'ovided with en annular groove H2 communicating with the perforati H2. This is held in position by nut H7' which engages the threaded outer end of the pin H. The conduit F is attached to and in communication with the cap H2' and thus with the annular groove H4 in that cap5 so that air or hydraulic pressure from the conduit F20 may enter the pin H.

le have described in cetail one of these hollow pin supportin, 1` constructions as illustrated. in Figure 5. The construction at the other side of the trapeZe is the sane except that the conduit F10 taires the 1ace of the Conduit F20 in the combination described.

The clamping or m rial eng .ging means means for operating them will now be described. Clamps which are arranged preferably to operate simultaneously and which are normally identical with each otheri are jfositioned one adjacent each end of the cross frame members G8. They adjustahly positioned, by means of the holes G0. A description of one clamp and its operating mechanism will suliice.

l is a cylinder within which a piston I1, having an outwardly projecting piston rod V.; de

I2 is positioned to move. A Is is a fulcrum or pivot member upon which a lever I* is pivotally mounted. The lever may be of double construction as shown in Figure 7 and is, at

s its oppositeend, fastened to a clamp memand grip the plate or sheet. A pipe or conv duit I8v is positioned on or between the cross I frame members Gr8 and extends from one clamp to the other. Air or fluid under pressure is supplied to this pipe from the hollow pin IFI by `a connection I9 which is preferably fiexible. Ashoit conduit Ilo leads from i the pipe or' conduit I8' to one side of one of the cylinders I. A similar short lconduit I11 leads from the oppositeend of the pipe IS tothe corresponding side of the'y other cylinder.V As a result of this, pressure in the-pipe I10 is effective to move both of the pistons equally and simultaneously. I12 is a, pipe or conduit generally similar in size and length to the pipe I8. It is connected to each of the clamp cylinders by an elbow or connection- I13 which is in communicationwith the cylinders at points opposite thatat which the connections I10 and I11 are connected to the cylinders. I is a connection, preferably flexible, connecting the pipe or conduit'I12 t. with the right hand hollow pin II as indicated Vin VFigure 2. Thus pressure from the conduit F15 is communicated to. the pipe Il? and upon the operation of the valves', pressure equally and simultaneously may be introl; duced from this source into each of the clampin@- cylinders. By the construction ofthe conduits which supply Ypressure to the clamps, pressure to move thepistons in the clamp' A cylinders in one direction is supplied simuling which may be done by a press brake such i taneously and equally to both of them from times in total, to provide a shape suitable for use as a receptacle. This form is inserted merely as an illustration of the type of bendas that shown. The supporting and carry- 2.1 Eng mechanism makes convenient'successive bendi'n gs and other operations.

The flexible conduits F3 and F4 are joined, respectively, to fixed conduits K and K1. Theseare connected with Va source ofpressure and are controlled by a conveniently `locatedvalve K2 which is provided with a lever or handle K8.

The operation of the hoisting motor E6 is electrically controlled. The wiring for the latter may be arranged in any suitable manner. Preferably a switch L, to control the operation ofthe hoisting motor, is conveniently positioned with respect to the operator. Y The use and operation of this invention are as follows For the sake of simplicity, it will be assumed that the material handling and positioning assembly is used in connection with the press brake shown. Its manner of use would, however, be substantially the same if used in connection with many other sorts of machinery. While it has been shown as designed particularly to move or feed forward a piece of material to receive successive operations, such as bends or other treatment, it may be used where the piece of material is to be acted upon only once, as for example, in the making of a single bend.

In the particular form of the device shown herewith, a sheet-is moved between the clamping jaws, the control for the clamps having been operated to open them so that the sheet may be slipped-between them. Where the ltrapeze arrangement is used in connection with the positioning and spacing frame and carriage the carriage will ordinarily be positioned so that the dog Dn will engage the end or outermost notch C5 of the member C4. The plate is then slipped or moved between the open jaws of the clamps and moved until i= its edge contacts the spacing members B4. Any spacing members may be used, although it is convenient to use members positioned on Vsome part of the press brake. The clamps are now tightened to grip the plate and prevent accidental movement of it with respect vto the clamps or to the trapeze on which they are fixed. Where opposite edges of the plate are to be worked upon, the notches are so positioned in the plate Ci that when the dogD9 is in the outermost or right hand one, as shown in Figure 1, and when the `plate is against the alivning pins B4, the clamps will grip it at its middle line. l/Vith the clamps now in .position gripping the plate, the press brake hold-down member is raised. VThe dog D is thrown out of engagementV with the first notch, the carriage is moved forward by rotation vof the shaft l)4 andsince at this time the trapeze is in position upon the carriage so that the pointed portions G6 of the members S il G5 fit into the notches D8 of the members D7,

motion of the carriage moves the trapeze with it.v Thus the trapeze is moved until the dog falls into the next notch. AtV that time it is in position for soinebending or forming operation. The hold-down is moved to grip-the plate and the bending operation is then carried out. Next the hold-down meinberis raised, the dog D9 is moved from the notch in'which it lies, the carriage, with the trapeze and plate, are moved forward again until the dog engages another notch and a subsequent holding and forming operation is carried out. This process is continued until all of the operations which are to be carried out on one side of the plate have been completed.

After all of the operations to be carried out on one side or the plate are completed, the hold-down member is raised and the plate moves to the rear. rIhis may be done either by moving the carriage to the rear and carry-v ing with it the trapeze and plate, or the hoisting motor ot the trapeze may be operated to raise the trapeze out ol engagement with the carriage and then the trapeze as a Whole, irrespective of the position of the carriage, may he. moved rearwardly so that the plate is entirely removed from the machineavhich has been Working upon it. Thus the entire weight of the plate and trapeze are carried from above and the plate may be swung about so as to present its opposite edge tovvard the machine. T he carriage may be rcpositioned and the trapeze moved into position in engagement with it and again the plate may be successively moved toi-Ward by movement of the carriage to the successive Working positions. By this means lirst one edge and then the opposite edge of the plate are worked upon. rl`he trapeze cross member which carries the clamps may be inverted from the position shown tor example in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure By this means reverse bends and other operations may be carried out on the plate. lllhen it' is desired, the trapeze, ivith the plate, is moved out of contact with the machine and the guiding part. Instead ot being swung horizontally the plate is rotated vertically about a generally horizontal axis so that it is inverted. ln this invertedL position the trapeZe is m ved again to the carriage and positioned upon it and again the forward movement or other feeding movement toward the press brake is carried out.

From the above, it is evident that the material handling trapeze and its associated parts may be used to Work on either edge of the plate, that the plate may be inverted and thus, in effect, turned and swung so as to have spherical motion, and all otl this may be done without releasing` the plate from the clamps ot the trapeze so that after the ini: itial positioning` operation of the plate in the clamps of the trapeze, subsequent positioning, engaging or centering is not necessary. The successive movements ot the plate to positions of Work on the press brake are guided and controlled by the notches ot the members C4.

For certain purposes, the initial positioning of the plate in the trapeze will be carried out differently from the manner above described. The trapeze may be moved any distance from the machine which is to Work on theA sheet and a sheet may be put upon the trapeze and engaged by the clamps in an arbitrary position, Without any accurate gauging, measuring or centering operation. rllhe trapeze, with the plate, is then moved toward the machine. The trapeze itself is put in engagement with the carriage. The hold of the clamps on the plate is released, the plate is moved into engagement with the members B't so that new the trapeze is in proper initial position on the carriage and the plate is properly centered, then the clamps are retightened so that they grip the plate with the latter properly centered in position Wit-h respect to the trapeZe, carriage and machine. rlhen the operation of feeding forward the plate is carried out as above described.

Any number ot ditlferent plates CL may be used and they Will be provided With notches, or their equivalent, to provide a gauge for properly positioning the carriage and trapeze with respect to the work, so that any suitable series ot operations and positions may be provided 'for by making a suitable member C4. For varying Widths of plates, the clamps themselves may be moved in and out along the members Which support them. rlhis is made possible by the series et perforations G9 in the members G8, shown particularly in Figure 7.

Vile claim:

l. ln combination in a material handling apparatus, a carriage, a material supporting frame supported therefrom, said trame including a part mounted upon the frame and carrying a plurality of material gripping means, and a. guiding assembly, a carriage movably mounted on said assembly, means on said frame for engaging said carriage.

2. ln combination in a material handling apparatus, a carriage, a material supporting trame movably supported therel'rom, said frame including a part mounted upon the frame and carrying a plurality ot material gripping means, and a guiding assembly, a carriage movably mounted on said assembly, means on said trame for engaging said carriage.

3. ln combination in a material handling apparatus, a carriage, a material supporting trame supported therefrom, said trame including a part mounted upon the trame and carrying a plurality ot mater'al gripping means, and a guiding assembly, a carriage movably mounted on said assembly, means on said frame for engaging said carriage and a gauge member positioned on said guiding assembly, providing predetermined positions ot adjustment, adapted to serve guides tor the movement ot said trame and carriage to a series of predetermined positions thereon.

a. ln combination in a material handling apparatus, a carriage, a material supporting lio frame supported therefrom, said frame including a part, rotatably mounted upon the frame and carrying` a plurality of material gripping means, and arguiding assembly, a carriage movably mounted on said assembly, means on said frame for engaging said carriage. l

i 5. In combination in aV material handling apparatus, a carriage, a material supporting frame supported therefrom, said frame including a part, rotatably mounted upon the frame and carrying a plurality of material gripping means, and-a guiding assembly, a carriage movably mounted on said assembly, means on said frame for engaging said carriage and a gauge member positioned on said guiding assembly, providing ,predetermined positions ofadjustment," adapted to serve as guides for the movementof said trame and carriage to a series of predeterminedfpositions thereon. p

6. In combination in a material handling apparatus, an elevated carriage, a material supporting frame movably supported therefrom, for raising and lowering and rotation with respect thereto, said frame including a part, rotatably mounted upon the frame and carrying a plurality of material gripping means, and a guiding assembly, a carriage movably mounted on said assembly, means on said frame for engaging said Carriage and a gauge member positioned on said guiding assembly, providing predetermined positions o'l adjustment, adapted to serve as guides for the movement of said trame and carriage to a series of predetermined positions thereon.

7 In combination in a material handling means, a supporting assembly, including a frame mounted for movement about an axis, said frame carrying a member provided with gripping means, said 'member mounted for movement about an axis different from that about which the trame moves, and a guiding assembly, including a carriage, the frame adapted to engage the carriage, a support for the carriage, means for moving the carriage therealong. Y

8. In combination in a material handling means, a supporting assembly, including a frame mounted for movement about an axis, said trame carrying a member provided with gripping means, said member mounted for movement about an axis different from that l about which the frame moves, and a guiding assembly, including a carriage, the frame adapted to engage the carriage, a support for the carriage, means for moving the carriage therealong, and means for automatically stopping the. carriage at a plurality of predetermined positions.

9. In combination in a material handling means, a supporting assembly, including a frame mounted for rotation, said trame carrying a member provided with gripping means, said member mounted for rotation about'an axis different from that about which the frame rotates,.and a guiding assembly, including a carriage, the frame adapted to .engage the carriage, a support for the carriage, means for moving the carriage therealong. Y

10. In combination in a material handling means, a supporting assembly, including a 4frame mounted for rotation, said frame carrying a member provided with gripping means, said member mounted for rotation about an axis different from that about which the frame rotates, anda guiding assembly, including a carriage, a frame shaped to engage the carriage, a` support for the carriage, means for moving the carriage therealong.

` 11; In combination in a material handling means, a supporting assembly, including-a frame mounted for rotation, said frame carrying a member provided with gripping `means, said member 4mounted :for 'rotation about an axis different from that aboutV which the frame rotates, and a guiding assembly, including a carriage,the trame shaped to engage the carriage, a support for the carriage, 'means for moving the lcarriage therealong `and means for automaticallyv stopping the carriage at a plurality of `predetermined positions.

12. In a material handling andr positionking assembly, two material supportingsubassemblies, one provided with parts adapted to engage and support a piece of material, the other sub-assembly including a movable carriage, the lirst sub-assembly providing means whereby the piece of material may be moved about a vertical and a horizontal axis, and provided with means forrengaging the carriage and adapted to be positioned upon it to move with it. g. Y

13. In a material handling and positioning assembly, two material supporting sub-as- Y semblies, one movably mounted and provided .with-parts adapted to engage and support a piece of material, the other sub-assembly fixed and including a movable carriage, the firstV ,sub-assembly providing meanswhereby lthe piece of material may be moved about a vertical and a horizontal axis, and provided with means for engagingthe carriage and adapted to be positioned upon it to move with it, and

1 means for moving the carriage. j

14. vIn a material handlingl and positioning assembly, two material supporting sub-assemblies, one provided with parts adapted to engage and support a piece of material, the

. other sub-assembly including a movable carriage, the first sub-assembly providing means whereby the piece of material may be moved about a vertical anda horizontal axis. and provided with means for engaging the carriage and adaptedto be positioned upon it to move with it, means Ifor moving the carriage and positioning means associated therewith, provided with indicators adapted t0 furnish means for positioning the carriage in a series of predetermined positions therealong.

15. In combination in a material handling equipment, a hoisting assembly, comprising material engaging means shaped to permit rotation of the material about a plurality of different axes, and a positioning and guiding assembly Jfor said first mentioned assembly, said positioning and guiding assembly including adjustment means adapted to provide variable and predetermined positions for the material engaging means. v

16. In combination in a material handling equipment, a hoisting assembly, comprising a material engaging means shaped to permit rotation of the material about a plurality of different aXes, and a positioning and guiding assembly for said first mentioned assembly, said guiding assembly including a carriage adapted to receive and to carry the first mentioned assembly.

17. In combination in a material handling equipment, a hoisting assembly, comprising material engaging means shaped to permit rotation of the material about a plurality of different axes, and a positioning and guiding assembly for said first mentioned assembly, said guiding assembly including a carriage adapted to receive and to carry the first mentioned assembly, and an index means associated with said carriage, shaped to provide a series of stops therefor, whereby the carriage in its movement will be stopped at a plurality of predetermined positions.

18. In combination in a material handling equipment, a hoisting assembly, comprising material engaging means shaped to permit rotation of the material about a plurality of different axes, and a positioning and guiding assembly for said first mentioned assembly, said guiding assembly including a carriage adapted to receive and to carry the irst mentioned assembly, and an index means associated with said carriage, shaped to provide a series of automatic stops therefor, whereby the carriage in its movement Will be automatically stopped at a plurality ot predetermined positions.

19. In combination in a material handling means, a carriage, a supporting member Carried therefrom and means for moving the same toward and from the carriage, and

means for preventing the relative rotation of the carriage and the supporting means, a bifurcated frame rotatably supported from said carriage, a portion of said frame mounted for pivotal movement, a plurality of fluid operated clamps adjustably mounted on said frame por-tion, conduits adapted to supply fluid to said clamps, said conduits supported on said frame, a distributing member in said supporting member, fluid connections to said member, whereby fluid is supplied from said member to said conduits, irrespective of ro Signed at Streator, in the county of La, A

Salle and State of Illinois, this 31 day of March, 1931.

WILLIAM C. ANTHONY. LESTER VVACHTER.

'ilo 

